HANSON, MA – John Murphy of Hanson, Massachusetts, has been arrested following his indictment by a federal grand jury on nine counts related to possessing animals for involvement in an animal fighting venture, in a landmark case under the federal Animal Welfare Act.
On June 7, 2023, federal agents conducted a raid on Murphy’s residence, confiscating nine pit bull-type dogs allegedly kept for animal fighting. The search also unearthed an array of items linked to dogfighting activities, such as veterinary supplies, injectable anabolic steroids, dogfighting literature, training equipment, and break sticks designed to release a dog’s grip on another dog.
In addition to criminal charges, authorities have initiated a civil forfeiture action aiming to permanently remove the seized dogs from Murphy’s possession. This case marks the first instance of federal criminal charges filed in the District of Massachusetts under the Animal Welfare Act, emphasizing the cruel and inhumane nature of dogfighting and its status as a felony offense.